Since my company is primarily involved in the leasing of racing shells, I am often asked why a school or club should lease a shell instead of purchasing it outright. My initial answer, although it operates counter to my own interest, is that if your organization has enough money readily available to purchase a new shell, as well as the facilities, personnel and discipline required to maintain that shell in excellent condition, by all means buy it!

Properly stored, handled and maintained, a composite racing shell of recent vintage should serve as a top-level racing boat for three or four years, as a second-level racing boat for three or four more, and as a beginners or training shell for even longer. The initial investment required will result in 10-12 years of good service at various levels, and the boat will still have some modest resale value to be used toward the purchase of its replacement.

While I strong believe in the argument I just made, I wouldn't be in the leasing business if there weren't good arguments for leasing as well. Many of my clients lease from me every year, and some of their reasons are as follows:

1. To obtain a new or almost new shell for a modest sum to be used just for the racing season, or for a major regatta, in order to provide a particular crew with better equipment than is currently available.

2. To provide extra seats for a large seasonal turn-out that was not anticipated.

3. To obtain a type of shell not available in the boathouse (e.g. - two fours for seat racing, a pair for a two people who just decided to row together, a quad when your club only owns sweep boats.)

4. To spread a small equipment budget over a long period of time, while still providing your team with top-level equipment.

5. To start a new program on a minimum initial investment.

6. To enable a crew to race at a distant regatta or training site for a limited period of time without facing the time, expense and inconvenience of a long trailer trip.

While purchasing a shell is usually the preferable long-term option, leasing may be the better choice if the organizational need is for a shorter-term solution, such as a regatta, a season or a year.

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As owner of North Country Racing Shells, Dick Grossman has been in the boat leasing business since 1990. He is also Rowing Coordinator and Head Lightweight Coach at Dartmouth College, where he has been coaching for twenty-three years.